Ridley Nicholas

Ridley, Nicholas (1500 ?-55), martyr-bishop, was born in Northumberland, and became a fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 1524, and eventually master of Pembroke. His favourite walk in the orchard is still called after him. His learning was so extensive and his reputation as a scholar so great that Oxford desired his services, but its offer was refused, and Ridley proceeded abroad, where he pursued his studies. At Cambridge he protested against Papal interference, was made royal chaplain by Cranmer, and successively Prebendary of Canterbury, Canon and Bishop of Rochester (1547). In 1550 he became Bishop of London, and strongly objected to the use of holy water, and otherwise expressed strong views against such practices. He favoured Lady Jane Grey against Mary, who put him in the Tower in 1553, and after eight months' imprisonment there he was taken to Oxford, tried, adjudged a heretic, and burnt with Latimer (q.v.) in front of Balliol College, on October 16th, 1555. He denied the doctrine of the real presence. He is described as "small in stature, but great in learning."